Firearm suppressor

ABSTRACT

The suppressor uses an elastic outer housing or sleeve that temporarily expands and contracts under the pressure impulse of the propellant gases to help reduce the sound signature of the report. During discharge, the elastic housing or sleeve expands beyond its relaxed normal shape, but quickly contracts and returns to its original shape and dimension. The expansion of the elastic housings and sleeves temporarily increases the internal volume of the suppressor providing a mechanical control of the internal pressure reduction and sound attenuation without the need for increased suppressor dimensions.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/548,956 filed Aug. 22, 2017, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

This invention relates to firearm suppressors, and in particular, asuppressor having an expanding suppressor housing.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The discharge of a firearm creates extremely high noise levels. Thereport of a firearm can cause serious hearing damage to the user andsurrounding persons. The sound created by the discharge of a firearm isthe result in part of the escaping propellent gases. The “report” of thefirearm is a result of the heated high-velocity gases impacting theoutside atmosphere. In effect, resulting in a loud impact sound as thedifferent pressures and temperatures of the gases work to equalize.

Sound suppressors, often inaccurately referred to as “silencers”generally dampen and mask the sounds of the escaping propellent gases.Suppressors work to equalize or diminish to a suitable degree theinternal pressure of the propellant gases to the outside atmospherebefore it is vented, thereby reducing the pressure impulse and report ofthe discharge. Conventional suppressors utilize a series of baffles ofvarying designs enclosed within a rigid metal housing affixed to thebarrel of a firearm to diminish the report of a round (projectile) beingdischarged. As the round passes through the baffles, the propellantgases escaping the barrel of the firearm pass through the baffles andare trapped within by the suppressor housing. Passing through thebaffles causes the propellant gases to be redirected, disrupted andslowed. The internal volume of the suppressor housing provides anenclosed space for controlling the expansion of the propellant gasesprior to them venting out of the suppressor into the outside atmosphere.It is commonly understood in suppressor designs that increasing theinternal volume of a suppressor provides additional space within whichthe propellant gases can expand and depressurize. Nevertheless, as apractical matter, suppressors cannot be excessively large, as they wouldbe impractical in most applications.

The suppressor of this invention uses an expanding elastic outer housingor sleeve that temporarily expands and contracts under the pressureimpulse of the propellant gases to help reduce the sound signature ofthe report. During discharge, the elastic housing or sleeve expandsbeyond its relaxed normal shape, but quickly contracts and returns toits original shape and dimension. The expansion of the elastic housingor sleeve temporarily increases the internal volume of the suppressor,providing a mechanically controlled internal pressure reduction andsound attenuation without the need for increased suppressor dimensions.The temporary increase in the internal volume of the suppressor helpsdissipate thermal and kinetic energy carried by the propellant gases.

The above described features and advantages, as well as others, willbecome more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art byreference to the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may take form in various system and methodcomponents and arrangement of system and method components. The drawingsare only for purposes of illustrating exemplary embodiments and are notto be construed as limiting the invention. The drawings illustrate thepresent invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of thesuppressor of this invention mounted to the barrel of a firearm;

FIG. 2 is a simplified sectional view of the suppressor of FIG. 1 shownwhen the firearm is discharged;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of thesuppressor of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the suppressor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the suppressor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side section view of the suppressor of FIG. 3 showing thesuppressor sleeve expanded during discharge;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of thesuppressor of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the suppressor of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the suppressor of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a side section view of the suppressor of FIG. 7 showing thesuppressor sleeve expanded during discharge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferredembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments maybe utilized and that logical, structural, mechanical, electrical, andchemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilledin the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certaininformation known to those skilled in the art. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary,but simplified embodiment of the suppressor of this invention, which isdesignated generally as reference numeral 100. As shown, suppressor 100is designed to mount to the muzzle end of a firearm barrel 10.Suppressor 100 includes an elastic external housing 110 that encloses aninternal baffle assembly 120. Suppressor 100 is configured to provide asuppressor interior 111 that receives the exhausted propellent gasesfrom the discharged round. During discharge, the elastic housing 110expands beyond its relaxed normal shape, but quickly contracts andreturns to its original shape and dimension. The expansion of elastichousing 110 temporarily increases the internal volume 111 providing amechanical control of the internal pressure reduction and soundattenuation without the need for increased suppressor dimensions.

Elastic housing 110 is a tubular sleeve constructed from an elasticcomposite material. The elastic composition of housing 110 allows it toexpand radially under the pressure impulse of the exhaust gases as theround is propelled through the suppressor 100. The construction andcomposition of the housing material are selected for giving housing 110the resilience and elasticity for rapid and sustained expansion andcontraction without structural compromise under various ammunitionpressures. In addition, the construction and composition of the housingmaterials are selected to resist heat and corrosion.

Baffle assembly 120 functions like similar baffle structures inconventional suppressor designs separating and redirecting the exhaustgases as those gases propel the discharged round through suppressor 100.Baffle assembly 120 is machined, formed or cast from suitable materials,such as metals or polymers, which are light weight, and heat andcorrosion resistant. Baffle assembly 120 has an axial bore that alignsconcentrically with the longitudinal axis of the barrel bore. Baffleassembly 120 may take the form of a single monolithic piece or aplurality of aligned or interconnected baffle components as shown.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrated a second exemplary embodiment of the suppressor ofthis invention, which is designated generally as reference numeral 200.Suppressor 200 includes a rigid suppressor housing 210, a pair of endcaps 220, a plurality of internal baffles 230, an elastic suppressorsleeve 240 and a pair of sleeve clamps 250.

Except for suppress sleeve 240, the components and parts of suppressorare typically constructed from a suitable metal, such as steel, titaniumor aluminum alloy. These components and parts are typically, machined,but may be cast or forges in certain embodiments. Suppressor housing 210is an extruded or machined metal tube, which defines a suppressorinterior 211 that received end caps 220 and enclosed baffles 230.Suppressor housing 210 has a plurality of radial vent openings 213formed therein for allowing exhaust gases to vent from the interior.Suppressor housing has internally threaded ends for receiving end caps220. Similarly, end caps 230 are machined to have external threads,which turn into the threaded ends of suppressor housing 210. Each endcap has a center opening aligned with the bore axis of suppress 200. Inaddition, one end cap 230 is machined and configured, via internalthreads around the center opening to attached to the barrel of a firearm(not shown).

Baffles 230 are of conventional design and generally machined from asuitable metal, such as steel, titanium or aluminum alloy, but may becast or forged in certain embodiments. Each baffle 230 includes a centeropening 231 aligned with the bore axis of suppressor 200. Baffles 230are seated within suppressor interior 211 and secured by end caps 230.Annular shims 232 are used to selectively space and position baffles 200within housing interior 221 between end caps 220. Each baffle 220 alsohas a one or more radial vent openings 233, which align with opening 213in suppressor housing 210.

Suppressor sleeve 240 is fitted over suppressor housing 210 andsubstantially covers its length. Suppressor sleeve 240 is constructedfrom an elastic composite material. The elastic composition ofsuppressor sleeve 240 allows it to expand radially under the pressureimpulse of the exhaust gases as the round is propelled throughsuppressor 200. The construction and composition of the sleeve materialare selected for giving suppressor sleeve 240 the resilience andelasticity for rapid and sustained expansion and contraction withoutstructural compromise under various ammunition pressures. In addition,the construction and composition of the sleeve materials are selected toresist heat and corrosion. Clamps 250 secure suppressor sleeve 240 issecured over suppressor housing 210. Clamps 250 secure suppressor sleeveat opposite ends of suppressor 200. Clamps 250 seat over two annularsupport shims 252 inserted between suppressor housing 210 and suppressorsleeve 240, which helps prevent shear damage to sleeve 240 duringexpansion.

FIG. 6 illustrates how suppressor sleeve 240 expands outward when thefirearm is discharged. During discharge, the exhausting propellent gaspass through suppressor interior 211 and vent radially through holes 233and 213 in baffles 230 and suppressor housing 210, which expandssuppressor sleeve 240. Suppressor sleeve 240 expands beyond its relaxednormal shape between clamps 250, but quickly contracts and returns toits original shape and dimension as the exhaust gases exit through themuzzle end of suppressor 200. The expansion of suppressor sleeve 240temporarily increases the internal volume 211 providing a mechanicalcontrol of the internal pressure reduction and sound attenuation withoutthe need for increased suppressor dimensions.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a third exemplary embodiment of the suppressor ofthis invention, which is designated generally as reference numeral 300.As shown, suppressor 300 is similar is design and construction assuppressor 200. Suppressor 300 includes a rigid suppressor housing 310,a pair of end caps 320, a plurality of internal baffles 330, an elasticsuppressor sleeve 340 and a pair of sleeve clamps 350. Suppressor 300differs from suppressor 200 above, in that suppressor sleeve 340 onlycovers part of suppressor housing 310 and suppressor housing 310 onlyhas four vent opening 313 located at one end of suppressor 300. Ventopenings 313 align with corresponding vent openings 333 formed in oneshims 332. As shown in FIG. 10, the exhausting propellent gas passthrough suppressor interior 211 and vent radially through holes 333 and313 in baffles 330 and suppressor housing 310, which expands suppressorsleeve 340 during discharge. Again, the expansion of suppressor sleeve340 temporarily increases the internal volume 311 providing a mechanicalcontrol of the internal pressure reduction and sound attenuation withoutthe need for increased suppressor dimensions.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that an invention havingsignificant advantages has been provided. While the invention is shownin only a few of its forms, it is not just limited but is susceptible tovarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof. The embodiment of the present invention herein described andillustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise form disclosed. It is presented to explain the inventionso that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings. Theembodiment of the present invention may be modified within the scope ofthe following claims.

I claim:
 1. A suppressor for a firearm having a barrel, the suppressorcomprising: a suppressor body mountable to the firearm barrel forreceiving a discharged round therethrough, the suppressor body having asuppressor interior thereof, the suppressor body having a firstsuppressor end mountable to the firearm barrel and a second suppressorend opposite the first suppressor end through which the round anddischarge gases exit the suppressor, the suppressor body constructed inpart of an elastic material that allows the suppressor housing totemporarily expand and contract during the discharge of the firearm suchthat the volume of the housing interior increases and decrease under theinfluence of pressure within the housing interior.
 2. The suppressor ofclaim 1 wherein the suppressor body includes an elongated rigid tubularhousing having at least one vent opening therein between the firstsuppressor end and the second suppressor end, and a elastic sleevemounted over the housing between the first suppressor end and the secondsuppressor end.
 3. The suppressor of claim 2 wherein the sleeve expandsoutward from the housing during the discharge of the firearm.
 4. Thesuppressor of claim 2 wherein the suppressor body includes a pair ofclamps holding the sleeve to the housing.